UNICEF launches "Global movement for Children"

UNICEF launches "Global movement for Children"
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, NOV 19: A `global Movement for Children' will be launched by UNICEF tomorrow to fulfil the rights of children to life and development.

The objective is to mobilise decision-makers from all fields -- politics, economics, corporate sector, civil society, media, political and religious leaders, UNICEF said.

"Led by Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel, with the active support of UNICEF's offices in 161 countries and territories, the Global Movement for Children aims to make a difference in the lives of Children," Alan Court, UNICEF representative in India, said.

In 1992, India ratified the Convention, adopted by UN on November 20, 1986, thus accepting the international obligation to promote and fulfil the rights of all children to life, development, protection and participation.

A draft Children's Code, containing all legal provisions related to children and based on the UN Convetion, was recently presented to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The code, developed by a group of experts and supported by UNICEF, aims to bring laws in the country up to international standards, UNICEF said, adding the adoption of the Code will be a landmark in the protection of the 380 million children in India.